It’s easier to make a sale when you love what you’re selling — and the company you work for.
Ideally, one of the first customer touchpoints lies with a salesperson, and when that salesperson genuinely loves talking about their company, the mood is infectious. It stands to reason that companies benefit greatly from salespeople who love them, and vice versa.
For candidates searching for their next sales role, this means falling in love with both the company and the products it sells. Asking the right questions about the culture of a sales org early and often in the interview process is especially important for landing the right role to advance your career and keep you sane and selling in the long run.
Sales is easily one of the most competitive industries to work in — especially in the ever-advancing tech field — and no one wants to find themselves in a cliche, toxic sales environment à la Glengarry Glen Ross.
Collaborative sales teams with excellent leadership lead to better business overall, according to Forbes, and better business means better commissions, networking and growth opportunities for incoming salespeople.
“One of the most important things to me in any role is having a manager to learn from,” said Alyssa Pasicznyk, an account executive at AlertMedia. “Selling comes with a lot of trial and error, so it’s hugely valuable to have someone in your corner providing hands-on coaching and helping you overcome obstacles.”
While no two sales organizations are the same, there are a few universal positives that the best sales reps always seek out. Built In Austin caught up with Pasicznyk, Closinglock’s Industry Relations Manager Andie Romness and Redgate Software’s Central Enterprise Account Executive Brytt Glaser to learn what they were looking for when they found their latest sales role.
AlertMedia helps companies keep their people safe, informed and connected during emergencies and other critical events..
As a sales representative, what were you looking for in your next role when you started your most recent job search?
I joined AlertMedia in 2021 as a Sales Development Representative — the company’s first-ever SDR hire. As an SDR, you learn a lot very quickly, which is helpful for someone new to selling and working at a fast-growth company. I really enjoyed being an SDR, but when I started thinking about what I wanted next in my career, I knew transitioning to an Account Executive role would be a good move in the long run.
One of the most important things to me in any role is having a manager to learn from. Selling comes with a lot of trial and error, so it’s hugely valuable to have someone in your corner providing hands-on coaching and helping you overcome obstacles. As both an SDR and AE at AlertMedia, my managers have gone above and beyond to help me succeed.
What stood out to you about AlertMedia, and how has that perception changed since you started?
When I originally applied to AlertMedia, I didn’t have any actual sales experience. Fortunately, the recruiter I was working with looked beyond what was on my resume and proactively recommended that I consider the SDR role.
From my first conversation with AlertMedia, it was clear that the people who worked there loved the company, the culture, and the product. I could tell the team took the mission — helping organizations keep people safe during emergencies — seriously. It didn’t take long for me to realize this was an opportunity to be part of something special. I was also proud to join a brand-new team within the organization where I could make an instant impact and help build something from the ground up. As our company and team have grown, I’ve always felt my work mattered.
I could tell the team took the mission — helping organizations keep people safe during emergencies — seriously. It didn’t take long for me to realize this was an opportunity to be part of something special.”
From a selling perspective, what sets AlertMedia apart from others you've worked at in the past?
As a sales professional, I’m happy I get to work for a company like AlertMedia that invests in its people — whether it be through developing great managers or offering ongoing training and development opportunities. Sales is a hard job, but having a supportive team makes it a little easier.
Closinglock is a real estate tech company focused on simplifying the real estate closing experience for all parties.
As a sales representative, what were you looking for in your next role when you started your most recent job search?
When looking for my next role, I was drawn to the idea of joining an early-stage, venture-backed startup. I wanted to be part of the exciting growth phase, bringing my experience from working with seed-stage founders to a dynamic new setting. A founder and team with a shared vision were crucial, as was a culture that balanced ambition with support and inclusivity. I was excited to find a role where I could actively contribute to innovation and problem-solving and where my skills and experience would directly impact the company's growth trajectory.
What stood out to you about Closinglock, and how has that perception changed since you started?
During my interview process, I was impressed by the brilliance and emotional intelligence of everyone I was introduced to. It was clear they deeply cared about their employees' success and well-being. This initial impression was a key reason I joined the team. It was a bonus that our software is truly awesome and a game changer for our industry.
Now, as an employee, I see that our culture genuinely values each person beyond their role. We work hard, but there's a great mix of fun and productivity. Every day, I'm excited to learn more about our industry and how our software helps other people.
I feel supported here, and the work is both exciting and challenging. The goals we set are fair and achievable. Plus, the travel opportunities my role offers me align perfectly with both my professional and personal interests. This job has been an all-around fulfilling experience.
From a selling perspective, what sets Closinglock apart from others you’ve worked at in the past?
Closinglock’s product truly stands out in the real estate industry, addressing the critical issue of wire fraud. It's not just a great product, but it's also a necessary one, providing a real solution to a growing problem. This gives me a strong belief in what we're selling, knowing it genuinely helps and protects people.
Our team’s dynamic and agile nature sets us apart. We’re able to quickly innovate and stay ahead of competitors, which is crucial in our fast-paced industry.
Support here is phenomenal. It’s not just from our internal team and leadership, but also from customers and industry influencers. There's a real buzz when people talk about Closinglock, making my role in sales both easier and more fulfilling.
It’s not just a great product, but it's also a necessary one,. This gives me a strong belief in what we’re selling, knowing it genuinely helps and protects people.”
Our key performance indicators are fair, and the variety in my day-to-day work keeps things interesting and engaging. It’s this combination of great compensation, a fantastic product, a supportive and innovative team and a dynamic work environment that really sets this company apart from others I’ve worked with in the past.
Redgate Software is the leading provider of software for professionals working on the Microsoft data platform.
As a sales representative, what were you looking for in your next role when you started your most recent job search?
I was looking to transition into a role that provided technical skillset development, with adequate resources and bandwidth for knowledge growth. Having a better technical understanding of the customer’s use case enables me to take a more empathetic approach when partnering with customers on solving technical and business challenges.
In addition to personal growth, I aimed to join a company with a strong culture that promoted the development of strong relationships between different teams, such as product management, marketing and customer success.
What stood out to you about Redgate Software, and how has that perception changed since you started?
The Redgate products are what first piqued my interest, as I was interested in working with solutions more technical in nature with a more established market position. After connecting with several members of Redgate, what stood out to me most was the unique company culture that has been successfully preserved and celebrated for years.
Since becoming a fellow Redgater, my perception has only improved. The focus on maintaining a collaborative, friendly and supportive culture has been reflected in my everyday work and interactions with colleagues.
After connecting with several members of Redgate, what stood out to me most was the unique company culture that has been successfully preserved and celebrated for years.”
From a selling perspective, what sets Redgate Software apart from others you've worked at in the past?
From a selling perspective, the motions have been more streamlined, and the experience serving as a Redgate AE has been more positive compared to previous companies I’ve worked with in the past. I inherited a list of existing customer accounts, ranging from light users of Redgate tools to heavy users of our more robust solutions. What they all have in common is the excellent feedback I've received about our solutions and customer support. It genuinely feels like a partnership with our Redgate customers, and our company and product reputation for being a trusted enterprise vendor sets us apart.
